In view of the rising oil and gas prices caused by the war in Ukraine, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder now wants to allow the controversial fracking technology for gas production in Germany if possible. “We should not completely exclude oil and gas production from existing capacities in Germany,” the CSU leader told German newspapers.
Germany needs the widest possible replacement capacity for (perhaps a lack of, mind you) Russian gas. “We have to be open to what is possible and what makes sense. Bans can be lifted,” said Söder. Fracking is currently banned in our neighboring country because of the environmental damage associated with the production method of extracting so-called shale gas.
Shale gas is naturally occurring natural gas that is formed and stored in porous clay rocks and is difficult to access. The term comes from the colloquial use of the word slate for mudstone. The extraction of shale gas is technologically challenging, but is becoming increasingly profitable with the high oil and gas prices.
Extraction is technically complex
Because shale is relatively impermeable, drilling into these rock layers does not allow gas to easily penetrate to the surface. To extract the shale gas contained in the clay rock, the rock is drilled into the rock and then millions of liters of water are mixed with sand and up to 600 different, sometimes highly toxic chemicals (including so-called biocides) pumped into the depot at high pressure.
This process, called hydraulic fracturing (fracking for short), blows many small fissures into the shale, allowing the gas to flow into the borehole. Horizontal bores are also often necessary to create channels through which the gas can escape.
Hazardous and environmentally harmful extraction method
There was talk of an ‘American gas revolution’ when the first studies on worldwide, almost inexhaustible shale gas deposits were published and with the deep drilling technique hydraulic fracturing also a supposedly ideal extraction method had been discovered. But it soon became clear that the dangers of fracking should not be underestimated and that the technically demanding process is harmful to the environment.
But the shale gas was soon discredited due to citizens’ initiatives, demonstrations and a documentary. What was done with fracking in the US can be seen impressively in Josh Fox’s movie “Gasland” (video above). In addition, environmentalists around the world criticize the enormous use of land and water and the uncontrolled release of the greenhouse gas methane during the drilling process as side effects that are harmful to the environment and the climate.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
